“Hey,” Mr. Cooper interjected. “How come no one invited me to this get-together? Aren’t I a member of the choir now?”
Verity gave him a mock frown. “Technically you’re the pianist, not a choir member.”
Belva, who appeared confused by Verity’s response, looked from her to Mr. Cooper and then back again. “But surely, if he truly wants to join you, I mean, I can sit out—”
Verity laughed, though it wasn’t lost on her how quickly Belva came to Mr. Cooper’s defense. “I was just teasing. Of course, if he was serious about wanting to join our little tea party on Saturdays, Mr. Cooper is welcome to join us. I meant it when I said everyone was welcome.”
“Oh.” Belva gave a sheepish grin. “I should have known you were just having a bit of fun.” Then she turned to Mr. Cooper. “What about it? Are you going to join us?”
He rubbed his chin, as if giving it serious consideration. “It’s tempting, but it sounds as if this is a ladies-only affair.” Then he raised a brow. “Then again, I do like a good cup of tea.”
Did the look he shot her have a glint of challenge in it? Verity lifted her chin. “Eve’s teas are special—she adds syrups and spices to give them unique flavors. She has something new just about every time we go in. Most of the menfolk around here, though, consider it too froufrou for their tastes.”
He raised a brow at that. “I’m not most men and I’m not from around here.” His lips twitched into a half smile before he schooled his expression again. “And I prefer to make up my mind for myself when it comes to what I like and don’t like.”
The look he gave her as he said that made her heart do a little flip-flop in her chest.
Then he turned to Belva. “How soon will you be needing that saddle?”
Was she dismissed? She stood there awkwardly fiddling with the collar of her dress, wondering if she should stay or go.
“Not for about three weeks,” Belva answered. “Will that be a problem?”
“Not at all. It’ll be ready when you need it.”
“Well, if you’ll excuse me, I have a few errands to run for Aunt Eunice.” She turned to Verity. “It was nice running into you. And I’ll see you on Saturday at the sweet shop.”
When Belva had gone, Mr. Cooper leaned back and studied her curiously. “So, is there something I can do for you, or did you really come in so Joy could play with Beans?”
“It was mostly for Joy. But I did want to invite you to join me at the school this afternoon to meet the children who’ll be part of our choir. If you’d like to, that is.”
He seemed to ponder that for a moment. Then nodded. “Of course. What time should I be there?”
“I told Janell I’d be there at two-thirty.”
“Then two-thirty it is.”
“Well, then, I’ll let you get back to your work.” She turned toward her daughter, who was seated on the floor with Beans in her lap. “Time to go, pumpkin.”
“But Mama, Beans and I aren’t through playing.”
“I’m sorry, but we need to go. I have a few more errands to run and I promised Aunt Betty I’d be back in time to help her hang out the laundry.”
Mr. Cooper leaned forward. “It’s all right, Joy. You’re welcome to come back and visit anytime.”
“You mean it?” Her precocious daughter’s tone was quite solemn.
“Absolutely.”
“Can I bring Mama, too?”
He glanced her way, his blue eyes seeming to darken slightly. “You may. In fact, I insist.”
“Okay.” Joy turned back to Beans. “Did you hear that? I can come back to play with you whenever I want.”
Verity mentally sighed at her daughter’s convenient misinterpretation of what had been said.
She foresaw a few battles between the two of them in the coming days.
* * *
Once Mrs. Leggett and her daughter had made their exit, Nate went back to work. He probably should have come up with an excuse to turn down her invitation. After all, she really didn’t need him to go with her this afternoon. But for some reason, he hadn’t been able to say no. His one consolation was that they would be in a room full of schoolchildren, not relatively alone in an empty schoolyard.
Nate forced his thoughts back to the order Belva had placed with him. A new saddle. It was his first major commission since he’d opened his shop and he was determined to do a good job.
Adam had loaned him the seed money he’d needed to set up and stock this place. And while he had no doubt his friend would extend the loan if he needed it, Nate was determined to make the payments on schedule. Because if he couldn’t make a go of this place, then he might as well pack up and move on. He refused to be a drag on the man to whom he owed so much.
Then his thoughts circled back around to Mrs. Leggett. Was it wrong that he was so eagerly looking forward to seeing her again this afternoon?
* * *
When Nate stepped out of his shop just before two thirty that afternoon, he saw Mrs. Leggett approaching. Of course, she’d have to pass this way to get from her uncle’s home to the schoolhouse. He shut the door behind him, then turned to wait for her.
As they exchanged greetings, they fell into step together.
“Where’s Joy?” he asked. “Isn’t she going to be part of this choir, too?”
“I left her with Aunt Betty. She’ll get her introduction to the choir at the same time as the other young ones.”
“How many?” he asked. Anything to keep the conversation light and impersonal.
“In addition to the children we meet at school today, there will be at least four others who are not yet school-age.”
He sensed a quiet kind of anticipation about her, an eagerness, as if they were approaching a fun outing. She really was looking forward to this children’s choir.
“So how well do you know the children who go to school here?”
“Most of them I at least know by sight. And I know some better than others, of course.”
“So you’re about to be assigned a group of children to teach that you have no idea whether they can carry a tune or not and how well they’ll work together.”
She tapped his arm lightly. “Don’t be such a pessimist. They’re children. And they’re going to join the choir because they want to be in it.”
“Or because they don’t want to be in the play. There is a difference, you know.”
“My, my, you are in a contrary mood today, aren’t you?”
“I’d prefer to think I’m being realistic.”
“Then you must think of this as a challenge. It will be up to us to make them love the choir, whether they are going into it for the right reasons or not. Do you think you are up to the job?”
He executed a half bow. “I will strive to follow your lead.”
She laughed outright at that. It was a sound that brought a smile to his own lips.
They’d reached the schoolyard by then and he allowed her to precede him up the steps, suppressing thoughts of that simple but altogether electrifying touch yesterday.
When she reached the top, Mrs. Leggett opened the door herself rather than waiting for him, and stuck her head inside the building. “Are you ready for us?”
“Come on in” was the response from inside, and she opened the door wider and threw a smile over her shoulder as she entered.
When Nate followed her inside he saw Miss Whitman along with about a dozen students of various ages.
“Welcome, Verity.” The schoolteacher waved them in. “And Mr. Cooper, it’s an unexpected pleasure to have you join us, as well.”
He set his hat on a nearby school desk. “I’ve volunteered to help Mrs. Leggett with the music, at least until your regular pianist returns.”
“And we are all most gratefu
l to have someone as talented as you fill in for Mrs. Ford.”
He was grateful that she didn’t wait for a response but instead she swept a hand toward the students. “These are the talented group you two will be working with on the musical performance. The rest of the students are in Mr. Parker’s classroom reading over the play.”
“And a fine-looking group it is,” Mrs. Leggett said enthusiastically. “I already know many of you and I’m sure I’ll get to know the rest of you quickly. But for Mr. Cooper’s benefit, why don’t you each step forward, one at a time, and give us your name and age?”
There was something about her tone and demeanor that made one want to please her. Did the children feel it, too?
One by one they stepped forward and introduced themselves, just as she’d asked. He hoped no one actually expected him to remember all these names. He did spot one familiar face in the group—Jack Barr, Adam’s son. The boy gave him a toothy grin as he introduced himself, indicating he recognized him, as well.
Mrs. Leggett had a kind word for each of them. When the last child had given her information, Mrs. Leggett took the floor again. “Very good. Now, we’re not going to have any sort of practice session today—I just wanted to get to meet you and let you meet me and Mr. Cooper. But we are going to discuss expectations.”
One of the younger children raised her hand.
“Yes, Cora Ann?”
“What’s expectations?”
“Expectations means I’m going to let you know what I expect you to do if you want to be part of this choir.” Then she smiled. “I promise none of this is very difficult. First, practice sessions will be for one hour every Tuesday and Thursday right after school, over at the church. We expect you to attend every practice unless you are ill. Second, you must promise to do your very best.”
Nate watched as she went down her list of far-from-onerous expectations. She had the children’s full attention—they seemed to be listening closely and were nodding in the appropriate places. Would she be able to command their attention as easily when they got down to the practice sessions themselves?
When she was done, she turned to him. “Was there anything you wanted to add?”
He was caught off guard by the question, but rallied quickly. “Only that everyone be respectful of their fellow choir members. Remember, everyone learns things at a different pace.”
She gave him an approving nod, then turned back to the children. “Do you all agree to try to meet these expectations?”
Almost as one they said, “Yes, ma’am.”
“Very good.” She beamed approvingly at the group. “And I hope you’ll be pleased to know that there are four children who aren’t quite school-age yet who will be joining us. They are Joey and Molly Tucker, Jeffery Unger and my little girl, Joy.”
“But they’re practically babies,” one of the older boys protested. “Will they even be able to keep up with us?”
Nate frowned. “They will if we help them.”
She shot him a surprised look that quickly changed to one of approval. Had she thought he had no opinion on such things?
Then she turned back to the children. “Mr. Cooper is right. The younger ones may require a little extra patience, but with some practice they should be fine, especially with the songs we’ve selected.”
“What songs are we gonna be singing?”
“We’ve selected three songs for the program, but I think we’ll wait until tomorrow, when the rest of our choir will join us, to announce what they are.” She looked around the group. “Now, does anyone have any other questions for me or Mr. Cooper?”
When no one spoke up, Mrs. Leggett leaned back against the teacher’s desk.
“Very well, then. I’m really looking forward to getting to know all of you better and to listen to the beautiful music we’ll make together. Remember, our first practice is right after school tomorrow. Let your parents know and don’t be late.”
The schoolteacher stepped forward. “All right, children, you are dismissed for the day.” As the children quickly filed out, Miss Whitman turned to the two of them. “Thank you both so much for taking this on. I know the children will do their best for you.” She scooped up a stack of papers from her desk. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I saw Abigail arrive a few minutes ago so I need to go next door and help her get the children’s play organized.”
“Of course.” Mrs. Leggett stepped aside to let the teacher pass and then, with a “shall we?” glance for him, headed toward the door.
Taking his cue, he followed her out. By the time they stepped out on the small porch, there were no children in sight.
“Well, what do you think of our choir members?” she asked.
“I think, as a whole, they’re a much younger group than I’d expected.” He hadn’t seen more than two or three who looked like they’d hit their teen years yet. “Especially when you consider the four who weren’t here today aren’t yet old enough to be in school.”
“The majority of them do seem to fall in the eight-to ten-year-old range.” She didn’t seem the least bit concerned by that. “It’s a blessing for us, really.”
“How so?”
“I find younger children much more teachable than the older ones.”
He hadn’t thought of it that way. Not that he was entirely convinced.
But she was moving on to another subject. “For our practice sessions, I was thinking it would be best to start with one song and practice it until they get it down right before moving on to the next. But do you think we should introduce them to all three songs when we get together tomorrow before we settle down to practice the first one? Or would that overwhelm them?”
How would he know? But she was waiting for his answer. “It seems to me that introducing them to all three songs first would give them something to look forward to. And if we sing each of them at the beginning of each session, it would get them used to that last song that they are probably not already familiar with.”
“Good point. So you and I will sing them for the group first, and then we’ll settle in to practice ‘Jesus Loves Me.’”
“You’re assuming these children actually can sing. Not everyone has an ear for music, you know.”
“True. But if nothing else they can make a joyful noise. And, as you told Robbie, they’ll manage okay if we help them.” She met his gaze, her expression earnest. “I don’t want any of these children to feel they are any less important to the choir than any of the other members.”
He gave a short nod. “Of course. A joyful noise it is.”
“I was wondering...” She paused, her fingers plucking at her collar.
“What is it?”
“Well, that song you sang for me yesterday—‘Down to the Valley.’”
Had she changed her mind about using it? “If you prefer to substitute something else—”
“No, no, I love the song. It’s just that, if I’m going to teach the children, then someone really needs to teach it to me first.”
Teach her? Watch her learn the words and melody, make them her own? It was very tempting.
But he wasn’t sure he was much of a teacher.
Chapter Eleven
Verity saw his hesitation and wished she could take the question back. Had her request been out of line? Her cheeks warmed as she realized the spot she’d put him in. He had shut his shop to accompany her this afternoon, and now she’d asked for more of his time. He was undoubtedly trying to find a polite way to say no.
Before she could withdraw her request, however, he nodded.
“All right. Where would you like to do this? It’s performed a cappella so we don’t need a piano, but I’d prefer not to break into song right here on the sidewalk.”
She appreciated his self-deprecating humor. And also his generosity. “
Thank you, but I just realized you probably need to get back to your shop. Why don’t we plan to meet a little early before practice starts tomorrow instead?”
But he shook his head. “Today is fine.” By now they’d reached the corner of Schoolhouse Road and Second Street. He waved toward his shop. “As you can see, there’s no line of customers waiting for me to open my doors. And the work I already have scheduled can wait a little longer without endangering any schedules.”
Was his business slow, then? “I’m sure you’ll get more customers as more people become aware of your work.”
He merely nodded and changed the subject. “So, where shall we go?”
“We could go down by the church. It should be fairly quiet there today.”
They turned their steps toward the church but hadn’t gone far before they encountered Eunice Ortolon, Belva’s aunt.
Verity intended to just exchange greetings and keep moving, but Eunice apparently wanted to have a conversation.
“Well, hello, Verity, Mr. Cooper. It’s a fine afternoon for a walk, isn’t it?”
Mr. Cooper nodded. “That it is, ma’am.”
Verity could see the woman’s mind working as she studied the two of them. Surely she didn’t see this as anything other than what it was. But the woman was a notorious busybody—she loved speculating about anyone and anything she knew, or even thought she knew. And she didn’t mind sharing those speculations with anyone who would listen.
Eunice gave Mr. Cooper an arch smile. “I hope your injuries are healing well. We’ve been missing you around the boardinghouse.”
Mr. Cooper smiled politely. “I thank you for your concern, ma’am. And I certainly hope my absence hasn’t caused you any inconvenience.”
“We’re getting by.” She glanced at Verity and then back to him. “I understand you’ll be helping Verity here with the children’s choir. That’s very kind of you. There’s not many a gentleman who’d agree to step in for the church piano player, much less teach songs to a group of youngsters.”
Verity’s spine stiffened. Did Eunice think that such actions were beneath him?
“If that’s true, then it’s their loss,” Mr. Cooper said easily. “I enjoyed playing for the church service. And I just met some of the children who’ll be in the new choir and I’m certain I’ll enjoy working with them, as well.”
Second Chance Hero Page 11
